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gettingTo Como
You’ll land at Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Linate (LIN); the lake is about an hour away, whichever way you go. One thing worth knowing: the wedding is in Cernobbio, a village five kilometres up the shore from Como — very close, but not the same place, so say “Cernobbio” when you book a car or a taxi. And Como has no metro: it’s walked, bussed, or sailed.
Rental car
our recommendation
At MalpensaRental desks one floor below arrivals (−1) in both T1 and T2
At LinateDesks on the ground floor of arrivals
Mind the ZTLComo’s old town is a restricted-traffic zone, cameras on 24/7 — park at Autosilo Valduce, Centro Lago, San Giovanni or Valmulini and walk in
Train
easy without luggage worries
From MalpensaMalpensa Express toward Milan, change at Saronno for Como Lago — about 1h15–1h30
Via MilanMilano Centrale → Como San Giovanni, 40 min from €5.20 · Milano Cadorna → Como Lago, 60 min, €4.80
From LinateMetro M4 into the city first, then either Milan station
From MalpensaFlibco shuttle to Como San Giovanni, about 50 min, from €9
From LinateNo direct bus — two legs via Milan. First the Linate Shuttle (Air Pullman, €7) or the Autostradale coach (€5 online) from outside arrivals to Milano Centrale: about 25 minutes, roughly every half hour. Then a FlixBus to Como from the stop beside Centrale (Piazza Luigi di Savoia) or from Lampugnano — about six a day, from around €6–9, 40–60 minutes. Honestly, from Centrale the train is the easier second leg
Around ComoASF line C110 (Como–Cernobbio–Menaggio) and city line 6 stop at Cernobbio Mazzini; Sundays roughly hourly, first 07:34, last 20:44 — pay contactless on board · asfautolinee.it
Taxi & transfers
always book ahead
Radiotaxi Como+39 031 261515, or the InTaxi app — taxis are genuinely scarce here
Private transferAirport to Como runs about €130–135
UberBlack & Van only, and unreliable — don’t count on it
whereTo Stay
Cernobbio and the Como lakefront keep you closest — everything below is a short drive or boat ride from Villa Erba. If you book somewhere else, aim for Cernobbio or that stretch of shore: the rest of the lake looks close on a map and isn’t.
The lake’s most famous address, ten minutes along the shore from Villa Erba — splendid, and priced to match.
Simpler, and easier on the wallet both in Cernobbio
Albergo San Giuseppe — family-run for over fifty years, five minutes on foot from the village centre and the water. Via Cinque Giornate 31 · +39 031 511288.
Look in Como’s old town, Borgo Vico / Tavernola (between Como and the villa), or Cernobbio itself. Skip Brunate — it’s a funicular ride up the mountain, awkward late at night.
eat& Drink
Places we’d send friends to — book dinner ahead, October weekends fill up.
Making a long weekend of it? The lake rewards every extra day.
Ride the funicular to Brunate— seven minutes up, the whole lake at your feet
Boat to Bellagio, Varenna or Tremezzo— the classic mid-lake day out
Villa Carlotta— botanical gardens across the water (check autumn hours)
Villa del Balbianello— the one from the films; closed Mondays & Wednesdays
Como’s Duomo & old town— silk shops, marble, and very good coffee
Villa Olmo’s lakeside park— the villa interior is closed for restoration, the park is the point
Tempio Voltiano— a neoclassical temple to Alessandro Volta, Como’s own
Fly the seaplane— Aero Club Como takes off from the water, as it has since 1930
Walk the Greenway del Lago— an easy 10 km amble through lakeside villages
Day-trip to Milan— 40 minutes by train
Lunch in Lugano— Switzerland is 5 km away; bring your passport
the lakeIn October
Mid-October on Lake Como is mild and golden — jacket weather, with a real chance of a shower.
DaysAround 16 °C / 61 °F
EveningsDown to 9 °C / 48 °F — bring that layer
SunsetAround 6:32 pm over the water
Saturday, October 17
The evening on the water
16° / 9°C
61° / 48°F
≈ 28% chance of rain · sunset 6:33 pm
Sunday, October 18
The wedding day
16° / 9°C
61° / 48°F
≈ 28% chance of rain · sunset 6:32 pm
Seasonal averages for now — the live forecast appears here about two weeks before the weekend.
theFAQ
What should I wear?
Sunday at Villa Erba is formal — black tie optional. Saturday on the water is dressy casual. October evenings on the lake are cool either way, so bring a layer you can throw on.
What will the weather be like?
Mild days around 16 °C / 61 °F, cool evenings near 9 °C / 48 °F, and roughly a one-in-four chance of rain. The weather section switches to a live forecast about two weeks out.
What about gifts?
No gifts, please — having you with us on the lake is the whole point.
Where do I park at Villa Erba?
The villa has its own garage with 360 spaces, one kilometre off the A9 exit — you won’t be circling Cernobbio. Parking is free for wedding guests.
What time should I arrive on the wedding day?
Doors open at 4:00 pm with welcome drinks, and the ceremony begins at 4:30 — plan to be at the villa by four.
Whom do I ask about everything else?
Irene, our wedding planner, is there for anything this page doesn’t answer: +39 320 687 2649. She works by WhatsApp message — please write rather than call.
little thingsAbout Como
Small things that make Italy easier — and Como more fun.
Volta was born here. The volt is named for Como’s own Alessandro Volta — hence the lakeside temple.
Silk city. Como wove silk for the world’s fashion houses; a scarf is the souvenir.
The lake is an upside-down Y. Como sits at the tip of the western branch; Bellagio at the fork.
Coffee at the counter. Espresso standing at the bar costs less than sitting at a table — that’s normal, not a scam.
The “coperto”. A euro or two per person on the bill is a standard cover charge, not an error.
Aperitivo hour. Roughly 6–8 pm; your drink often comes with snacks.
Tap water is fine. So are the public fountains — refill freely.
112 is the emergency number for everything.
Plugs are type L (and F). Bring an adapter; hotels rarely lend them.
Validate paper train tickets in the small machines before boarding — fines are real.
Don’t drive into the old town. The ZTL cameras never sleep; park outside and walk.
Switzerland is 5 km away. Passport in pocket, and lunch can be in another country.
Tax-free shopping. Non-EU visitors can claim VAT back on bigger purchases — ask in the shop.
